Crown for an electronic watch

ABSTRACT

An electronic watch includes a housing, a display positioned at least partially within the housing, a cover covering at least part of the display, and a crown having a portion positioned along a side of the housing. The crown may include an inner member that is rotationally constrained relative to the housing and an outer member that is rotationally free relative to the inner member. The device may further include a rotation sensor configured to sense a rotation of the outer member relative to the inner member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a non-provisional patent application of and claimsthe benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/689,775, filedJun. 25, 2018, and titled “Crown for an Electronic Watch,” thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety

FIELD

The described embodiments relate generally to electronic devices, andmore particularly to a crown for a wearable electronic device.

BACKGROUND

Electronic devices frequently use physical input devices to facilitateuser interaction. For example, buttons, keys, dials, and the like, canbe physically manipulated by users to control operations of the device.Physical input devices may use various types of sensing mechanisms totranslate the physical manipulation to signals usable by the electronicdevice. For example, buttons and keys may use collapsible dome switchesto detect presses, while dials and other rotating input devices may useencoders or resolvers to detect rotational movements.

SUMMARY

An electronic watch includes a housing, a display positioned at leastpartially within the housing, a cover covering at least part of thedisplay, and a crown having a portion positioned along a side of thehousing. The crown may include an inner member that is rotationallyconstrained relative to the housing and an outer member that isrotationally free relative to the inner member. The device may furtherinclude a rotation sensor configured to sense a rotation of the outermember relative to the inner member. The housing may define an interiorvolume, the inner member may define an exterior portion, the exteriorportion of the inner member may define a circular peripheral surface,the outer member may be coupled to the exterior portion of the innermember and configured to rotate along the circular peripheral surface,and the outer member is positioned outside the interior volume such thatthe rotation of the outer member occurs outside the interior volume. Therotation sensor may be at least partially within the inner member of thecrown.

The housing may define an interior volume and an opening extending fromthe interior volume to an exterior environment of the housing. Therotation sensor may be configured to sense the rotation of the outermember via the opening. The rotation sensor may be an optical sensor,the electronic watch may further include an optically transmissivewindow covering at least part of the opening, and the rotation sensormay sense the rotation of the outer member through the opticallytransmissive window.

The electronic watch may further include a force sensing componentpositioned at least partially within the housing and configured todetect an axial force applied to the crown. The force sensing componentmay include a dome switch. The rotation sensor may be a Hall effectsensor. The rotation sensor may include a light detector and a lightemitter configured to emit light toward the outer member of the crown.The light detector may detect the light after the light is reflected bythe outer member of the crown.

A wearable electronic device may include a housing, a display positionedat least partially within the housing, a cover covering at least part ofthe display and defining a front face of the wearable electronic device,a crown positioned along a side of the housing and rotationallyconstrained relative to the housing, and a sensor configured to sense amovement of a finger as the finger is sliding along a surface of thecrown. The crown may be rotationally fixed. A sensing element of thesensor may be positioned at least partially within the crown.

The crown may define a first portion of a surface, and the crown mayinclude a protective cover covering the sensing element and defining asecond portion of the surface. The sensing element may be an opticalsensing element, and the protective cover is an optically transmissivewindow.

The display may define an output region. The cover may define an inputsurface that covers the output region and the sensor may be a touchsensor that extends along the output region and is configured to detecttouch inputs applied to the input surface and to sense the movement ofthe finger sliding along the surface of the crown.

The housing may define an interior volume and an opening extending fromthe interior volume to an exterior of the housing, and the sensor may beconfigured to sense the movement of the finger through the opening.

A wearable electronic device may include a housing defining a sidesurface of the electronic device, a transparent cover coupled to thehousing and defining a front surface of the wearable electronic device,a crown extending from the side surface and rotationally constrainedrelative to the housing, and a sensor configured to sense a movement ofa finger sliding along a surface of the crown.

A wearable electronic device may include a housing, a display positionedat least partially within the housing, a cover covering at least part ofthe display and defining a front face of the wearable electronic device,and a crown positioned along a side of the housing. The crown mayinclude an inner member that is rotationally constrained relative to thehousing and an outer member that is rotationally free relative to theinner member. The wearable electronic device may further include asensor configured to sense movement of a finger while the finger isrotating the outer member. The inner member may define a cylindricalsurface, and the outer member may be a sleeve positioned around thecylindrical surface. The sensor may be positioned along a side of thehousing.

The wearable electronic device may further include an actuator coupledto the crown and configured to produce a tactile output through thecrown. The wearable electronic device may further include a force sensorconfigured to detect an axial force applied to the crown. The forcesensor may determine a magnitude of the axial force and the wearableelectronic device may cause the actuator to produce the tactile outputif the magnitude of the axial force is greater than a threshold value.

A wearable electronic device may include a housing, a crown extendingfrom a side of the housing and comprising a rotationally fixed firstmember and a rotationally free second member coupled to the rotationallyfixed first member, and a sensor positioned on the housing andconfigured to sense movement of a finger while the finger is rotatingthe rotationally free second member of the crown.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detaileddescription in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein likereference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which:

FIGS. 1A-1B depict a wearable electronic device;

FIGS. 2A-2B depict another wearable electronic device being used;

FIGS. 3A-3B depict another wearable electronic device being used;

FIGS. 4A-4B are partial cross-sectional views of an example wearableelectronic device having a crown with a rotatable member and a sensorfor sensing rotation of the rotatable member;

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of another example wearabledevice having a crown with a rotatable member and a sensor for sensingrotation of the rotatable member;

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of an example wearable devicehaving a crown with a rotationally constrained member and a sensor forsensing motion of a user's finger;

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of another example wearabledevice having a crown with a rotationally constrained member and asensor for sensing motion of a user's finger;

FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of an example wearable devicehaving a crown with a rotatable member and a sensor for sensing motionof a user's finger;

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of an example wearableelectronic device having a crown with a rotatable member and a sensorfor sensing rotation of the rotatable member;

FIG. 10 is partial cross-sectional view of another example wearableelectronic device having a crown with a rotatable member and a sensorfor sensing rotation of the rotatable member;

FIGS. 11A-11D depict example sensors for sensing user interactions witha crown; and

FIG. 12 depicts example components of a wearable electronic device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodimentsillustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood thatthe following description is not intended to limit the embodiments toone preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to coveralternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included withinthe spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by theappended claims.

The embodiments herein are generally directed to a crown of a wearableelectronic device, such as a smart watch, and more particularly to acrown that includes a non-rotating (or rotationally constrained)component, yet is still able to detect when a user is interacting withthe crown in a conventional manner. For example, a crown of a smartwatch may be rotationally fixed relative to a housing such that, if auser attempts to rotate the crown to operate the device, the crown doesnot physically rotate. Instead, the user's fingers may slide along asurface of the crown while the crown remains stationary. The device maydetect the movement of the user's fingers as they slide over the surfaceof the crown rather than sensing rotation of the crown. As used herein,a finger or object “sliding” along a surface may refer to the finger (orother object) moving along the surface while the finger (or otherobject) is in contact with the surface.

Using a rotationally fixed crown instead of a freely rotating crown mayresult in more robust and reliable devices. For example, a freelyrotatable crown may include a shaft that extends through an opening in ahousing so that the rotation of the shaft can be detected by an internalsensor, or so that the shaft can drive an internal gear train. However,the bearings, bushings, and other mechanisms that allow the shaft torotate freely with respect to the housing of the device may allow water,sweat, lotion, sunscreen, dust, dirt, and other contaminants to clog themechanism or to enter into the housing, potentially damaging the device.Further, rotating components may wear out over time, requiring repair orreplacement or otherwise reducing the usability of the device. Byeliminating the rotating shaft, a more robust and reliable crown may beprovided. However, because the user can still interact with arotationally fixed crown in a similar way to a conventional rotatingcrown (e.g., by attempting to rotate the crown with a finger), therotationally fixed crown may still provide a familiar and intuitiveinput mechanism with which a user can control the device.

Many of the same benefits may be realized with crowns that include somerotatable components. For example, a crown may be configured with arotationally fixed member and a rotationally free member, where therotationally free member does not extend into the housing of the device.For example, the rotationally free member may be a sleeve that is freeto rotate around a portion of a rotationally fixed shaft. A sensor maydetect the rotation of the sleeve, while the rotationally fixed shaft(which may extend into the housing) does not rotate, and thus the crowncan be more effectively sealed against liquids and contaminants. In somecases, even crowns with freely rotatable shafts may experience similarbenefits by limiting or reducing the distance that the freely rotatableshaft translates when pushed. Examples of crowns having these and otherconfigurations are described in more detail herein.

As described above, the crown may be rotationally fixed and still allowthe detection of rotational-style inputs on the crown (e.g., gesturesthat would produce a rotation on a conventional rotatable crown).However, in some cases, instead of being rotationally fixed, the crown(or a member or component of a crown) may be partially rotatable. Moreparticularly, a partially rotatable crown may allow limited rotationalmotion while still being largely rotationally constrained. For example,a partially rotatable crown may allow a small amount of rotation (e.g.,less than one degree, one degree, five degrees, ten degrees, etc.),after which the crown is prevented from rotating further. Thisrelatively small amount of free rotation may facilitate severalfunctions, such as allowing the crown to sense an amount of force ortorque being applied to the crown, or to allow the crown to move toprovide haptic outputs to a user. As used herein, a “rotationallyconstrained” component refers to a component that is not free to rotatemore than a full revolution under normal use conditions (e.g., whenmanipulated by the hands of a person). Thus, rotationally constrainedcomponents include both rotationally fixed components and partiallyrotatable components.

FIGS. 1A-1B depict an electronic device 100. The electronic device 100is depicted as a watch (e.g., an electronic watch), though this ismerely one example embodiment of an electronic device and the conceptsdiscussed herein may apply equally or by analogy to other electronicdevices, including mobile phones (e.g., smartphones), tablet computers,notebook computers, head-mounted displays, digital media players (e.g.,mp3 players), or the like.

The electronic device 100 includes a housing 102 and a band 104 coupledto the housing. The band 104 may be configured to attach the electronicdevice 100 to a user, such as to the user's arm or wrist.

The electronic device 100 also includes a transparent cover 108 coupledto the housing 102. The cover 108 may define a front face of theelectronic device 100. For example, in some cases, the cover 108 definessubstantially the entire front face and/or front surface of theelectronic device. The cover 108 may also define an input surface of thedevice 100. For example, as described herein, the device 100 may includetouch and/or force sensors that detect inputs applied to the cover 108.The cover may be formed from or include glass, sapphire, a polymer, adielectric, or any other suitable material.

The cover 108 may overlie at least part of a display 109 that ispositioned at least partially within the housing 102. The display 109may define an output region in which graphical outputs are displayed.Graphical outputs may include graphical user interfaces, user interfaceelements (e.g., buttons, sliders, etc.), text, lists, photographs,videos, or the like. The display 109 may include a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), organic light emitting diode display (OLED), or any othersuitable components or display technology.

The display 109 may include or be associated with touch sensors and/orforce sensors that extend along the output region of the display andthat may use any suitable sensing elements and/or sensing techniques.Using touch sensors, the device 100 may detect touch inputs applied tothe cover 108, including detecting locations of touch inputs, motions oftouch inputs (e.g., the speed, direction, or other parameters of agesture applied to the cover 108), or the like. Using force sensors, thedevice 100 may detect amounts or magnitudes of force associated withtouch events applied to the cover 108. The touch and/or force sensorsmay detect various types of user inputs to control or modify theoperation of the device, including taps, swipes, multi-finger inputs,single- or multi-finger touch gestures, presses, and the like. Further,as described herein, the touch and/or force sensors may detect motion ofan object (e.g., a user's finger) as it is interacting with a crown 112of the electronic device 100. Touch and/or force sensors usable withwearable electronic devices, such as the device 100, are describedherein with respect to FIG. 12.

The electronic device 100 also includes a crown 112 having a knob,protruding portion, or component(s) or feature(s) positioned along aside of the housing 102. At least a portion of the crown 112 mayprotrude from the housing 102, and may define a generally circular shapeor a circular exterior surface. The exterior surface of the crown 112may be textured, knurled, grooved, or may otherwise have features thatmay improve the tactile feel of the crown 112 and/or facilitate rotationsensing.

The crown 112 may afford a variety of potential user interactions. Forexample, the crown 112 may include a rotationally free member that isfree to rotate relative to a rotationally fixed member of the crown 112.More particularly, the rotationally free member may have no rotationalconstraints, and thus may be capable of being rotated indefinitely. Insuch cases, the device may include sensors that detect the rotation ofthe rotationally free member. Rotation sensors may be integrated withthe crown 112 itself, or they may be integrated with the housing 102,the cover 108, the display 109, or another component of the device 100.

In some cases, the crown 112 may be rotationally constrained (e.g.,rotationally fixed or partially rotatable), and may include or beassociated with sensors that detect when a user slides one or morefingers along a surface of the crown 112 in a movement that resemblesrotating the crown 112 (or that would result in rotation of a freelyrotating crown). More particularly, where the crown 112 is rotationallyfixed or rotationally constrained, a user input that resembles atwisting or rotating motion may not actually result in any substantialphysical rotation that can be detected for the purposes of registeringan input. Rather, the user's fingers (or other object) will result in amovement that resembles twisting, turning, or rotating, but does notactually continuously rotate the crown 112. Thus, in the case of arotationally fixed or constrained crown 112, sensors may detect gesturesthat result from the application of an input that has the same motion as(and thus may feel and look the same as or similar to) rotating arotatable crown. The sensors that detect such gestures may be on or nearthe crown 112.

The particular gestures that are detected may depend at least in part onthe types and/or locations of sensors in the device 100. For example, auser attempting to rotate a rotationally fixed crown 112 by pinching andtwisting may result in a sliding gesture along the surface of the crown112, and an optical sensor may sense the movement of the user'sfinger(s) along the surface. As another example, a user attempting torotate a rotationally fixed crown by applying a substantially tangentialforce to a surface of the crown 112 (as shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, forexample) may also result in a sliding gesture along a surface of thecrown 112. The user's finger may also be in contact with a surface ofthe housing 102 and/or the cover 108 during these gestures, and as suchthe user's finger may slide along a surface of the housing 102 and/orthe cover 108 in addition to a surface of the crown 112. As describedherein, this may allow the device to detect the motion of the fingerfrom various locations or positions on the device 100.

In cases where the crown 112, or a member or component of the crown 112,is capable of some rotation, it may rotate about a rotation axis (e.g.,it may rotate as indicated by arrow 103 in FIG. 1A). The crown 112, or amember or component of the crown 112, may also be translatable relativeto the housing 102 to accept axial inputs. For example, the crown 112may be movable or translatable along the rotation axis, towards and/oraway from the housing 102, as indicated by arrow 105 in FIG. 1A. Thecrown 112 may therefore be manipulated by pushing and/or pulling on thecrown 112.

The crown 112 may be able to translate any suitable distance. Forexample, a crown 112 may include a dome switch to register axial inputs,and the crown 112 may move a sufficient distance to facilitate physicalactuation of the dome switch. In other cases, such as where a forcesensor is used to detect axial inputs, the crown 112 may move asufficient distance to facilitate force sensing. The distance that thecrown 112 can translate or move may be any suitable distance, such asabout 1 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.2 mm, 0.1 mm, 0.05 mm or any other suitabledistance.

The device 100 may include a force sensor to detect axial forces thatare applied to the crown 112. The force sensor may include or use anysuitable force sensing components and may use any suitable technique forsensing force inputs. For example, a force sensor may include a strainsensor, capacitive gap sensor, or other force sensitive structure thatis configured to produce an electrical response that corresponds to anamount of force (e.g., axial force) applied to the crown 112. Theelectrical response may increase continuously as the amount of appliedforce increases, and as such may provide non-binary force sensing.Accordingly, the force sensor may determine, based on the electricalresponse of the force sensing components, one or more properties of theapplied force associated with a touch input (e.g., a magnitude of theapplied axial force).

As described herein, rotational inputs, gesture inputs (e.g.,rotational-style inputs applied to a rotationally fixed crown), andaxial inputs (e.g., translations or axial forces) may control variousoperations and user interfaces of the electronic device 100. Inparticular, inputs to the crown 112 may modify the graphical output ofthe display 109. For example, a rotational movement of the crown 112 ora gesture applied to the crown 112 may zoom, scroll, or rotate a userinterface or other object displayed on the display 109 (among otherpossible functions), while translational movements or axial inputs mayselect highlighted objects or icons, or activate or deactivate functions(among other possible functions).

The crown 112 may also be associated with or include a contact sensorthat is configured to detect contact between a user and the crown 112(e.g., touch inputs or touch events applied to the crown 112). Thecontact sensor may detect even non-moving contacts between the user andthe crown 112 (e.g., when the user touches the crown 112 but does notrotate the crown or apply a sliding gesture to the crown 112). Contactsensing functionality may be provided by a touch sensor that alsodetects gestures (e.g., a finger sliding along a surface of a crown orthe housing), or it may be provided by a separate sensor. The contactsensor may include or use any suitable type of sensor(s), includingcapacitive sensors, resistive sensors, magnetic sensors, inductivesensors, or the like. In some cases, the crown 112 itself, or componentsof the crown, may be conductive and may define a conductive path betweenthe user (e.g., the user's finger) and a contact sensor. For example,the crown may be formed from or include metal, and may itself act as anelectrode for conductively coupling a capacitive sensor to the user.

The device 100 may also include one or more haptic actuators that areconfigured to produce a tactile output through the crown 112. Forexample, the haptic actuator may be coupled to the crown 112 and may beconfigured to impart a force to the crown 112. The force may cause thecrown 112 to move (e.g., to oscillate or vibrate translationally and/orrotationally, or to otherwise move to produce a tactile output), whichmay be detectable by a user when the user is contacting the crown 112.The haptic actuator may produce tactile output by moving the crown 112in any suitable way. For example, the crown 112 (or a component thereof)may be rotated (e.g., rotated in a single direction, rotationallyoscillated, or the like), translated (e.g., moved along a single axis),or pivoted (e.g., rocked about a pivot point). In other cases, thehaptic actuator may produce tactile outputs using other techniques, suchas by imparting a force to the housing 102 (e.g., to produce anoscillation, vibration, impulse, or other motion), which may beperceptible to a user through the crown 112 and/or through othersurfaces of the device 100, such as the cover 108, the housing 102, orthe like. Any suitable type of haptic actuator and/or technique forproducing tactile output may be used to produce these or other types oftactile outputs, including electrostatics, piezoelectric actuators,oscillating or rotating masses, ultrasonic actuators, reluctance forceactuators, voice coil motors, Lorentz force actuators, or the like.

Tactile outputs may be used for various purposes. For example, tactileoutputs may be produced when a user presses the crown 112 (e.g., appliesan axial force to the crown 112) to indicate that the device 100 hasregistered the press as an input to the device 100. As another example,tactile outputs may be used to provide feedback when the device 100detects a rotation of the crown 112 or a gesture being applied to thecrown 112. For example, a tactile output may produce a repetitive“click” sensation as the user rotates the crown 112 or applies a gestureto the crown 112. Tactile outputs may be used for other purposes aswell.

The electronic device 100 may also include other inputs, switches,buttons, or the like. For example, the electronic device 100 includes abutton 110. The button 110 may be a movable button (as depicted) or atouch-sensitive region of the housing 102. The button 110 may controlvarious aspects of the electronic device 100. For example, the button110 may be used to select icons, items, or other objects displayed onthe display 109, to activate or deactivate functions (e.g., to silencean alarm or alert), or the like.

FIGS. 2A-2B show a front and side view, respectively, of a device 200during one example use condition. The device 200 may be an embodiment ofthe device 100, and may include the same or similar components and mayprovide the same or similar functions as the device 100. Accordingly,details of the device 100 described above may apply to the device 200,and for brevity will not be repeated here.

In the example shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, the wearable device 200 includes acrown 212 that a user may contact to provide input through the crown212. The crown 212 may include a rotationally constrained inner member211 and a rotationally free outer member 213. The device 200 may alsoinclude a rotation sensing element 214 (FIG. 2B) that is configured todetect rotation of the rotationally free outer member 213. Thepositioning of the rotation sensing element 214 in FIG. 2B is merely forillustration, and it may be positioned elsewhere in the device 200 asdescribed in greater detail herein with respect to FIGS. 4A-10. Forexample, the rotation sensing element may be positioned in the housing202 or in the crown 212. In some cases, the rotation sensing element 214may be configured to detect the motion of a user's finger 201 (or otherobject) that is rotating the rotationally free outer member 213, insteadof or in addition to detecting the rotation of the rotationally freeouter member 213.

FIGS. 2A-2B show a user manipulating the crown 212 to provide an inputto the device 200. More particularly, a user's finger 201 is in contactwith the rotationally free outer member 213 (also referred to herein forsimplicity as an outer member) and is moving along a direction indicatedby arrow 217. The force applied to the outer member 213 by the user'sfinger 201 causes the outer member 213 to rotate relative to therotationally constrained inner member 211 (also referred to herein forsimplicity as an inner member). The rotation sensing element 214, inconjunction with other components of a rotation sensor, detects therotation of the outer member 213 and causes the device 200 to take anaction in response to the rotation. For example, as shown in FIG. 2A,upon detection of the outer member 213 rotating, the device 200 maycause a graphical output 207 on a display 209 to be moved in accordancewith the rotation of the outer member 213. A rotation of the outermember 213 in the direction indicated by arrow 203 (FIG. 2B) may resultin the graphical output 207 moving in the direction indicated by arrow215 (FIG. 2A). A rotation of the outer member 213 in the oppositedirection may result in the graphical output 207 moving in the oppositedirection. The rotation of the outer member 213 may be used to changeother operational properties of the device 200 in addition to or insteadof scrolling a graphical output 207. For example, a rotation of theouter member 213 may change parameters or settings of the device,control a zoom level of a graphical output, change a time setting, orthe like.

In some cases, instead of or in addition to a rotation sensing element214, the device 200 includes a sensor that is configured to sensemovement of a finger (or other implement or object) as the finger isrotating the outer member 213. In such cases, the rotation of the outermember 213 may not be directly sensed by the sensor, but instead may beused to provide the sensation of physical rotation to the user. In caseswhere the sensor is detecting motion of the user's finger rather thanrotation of the outer member 213, a sensing element may be positioned sothat it is proximate to the user's finger under normal or expected useconditions. For example, the sensing element may be positioned along aside of the device 200 where the user's finger is likely to contact thedevice 200 when rotating the outer member 213 (e.g., at location 205).In some cases, the sensing element may sense the motion of the user'sfinger through a cover 208 that covers the display 209. For example, thesensing element may include optical sensing elements and/or touchsensing elements that sense the motion of the user's finger 201 throughthe optically transmissive and/or dielectric material of the cover 208.In some cases, the device 200 may use the same touch sensor fordetecting touch inputs applied to the cover 208 and for detecting motionof the user's finger as it rotates the outer member 213.

FIGS. 3A-3B show a front and side view, respectively, of a device 300during one example use condition. The device 300 may be an embodiment ofthe device 100, and may include the same or similar components and mayprovide the same or similar functions as the device 100 (or the device200). Accordingly, details of the devices 100, 200 described above mayapply to the device 300, and for brevity will not be repeated here.

In the example shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, the wearable device 300 includes acrown 312 that may be rotationally constrained relative to a housing302. For example, the housing 302 may be a monolithic structure thatincludes a protrusion, where the protrusion defines the crown 312. Insome cases the crown 312 may be welded, adhered, bonded, or otherwisefixed to the housing 302. In cases where the crown 312 is rotationallyconstrained but partially rotatable, the crown 312 may be coupled to thehousing 302 such that the crown 312 can rotate a small amount inresponse to input forces (e.g., from a user's finger) or output forces(e.g., from a haptic actuator), but does not fully or freely rotate.

The device 300 may also include a sensing element 316 (FIG. 3B) that isconfigured to sense a movement of the user's finger 301 as the finger301 slides along a surface of the crown 312. The positioning of thesensing element 316 in FIG. 3B is merely for illustration, and it may bepositioned elsewhere in the device 300 as described in greater detailherein with respect to FIGS. 4A-10. For example, the sensing element 316may be positioned in the housing 302 or in the crown 312.

Because the crown 312 in FIGS. 3A-3B is rotationally constrained, itwill not continuously rotate in response to the force applied by thefinger 301 moving along the direction 317 (while the finger is incontact with the crown 312). Rather, the finger 301 will slide along asurface of the crown 312. Accordingly, the sensing element 316 detectsthe motion of the finger rather than a rotational motion of the crown312.

The sensing element 316, in conjunction with other components of asensor, detects the movement of the finger 301 sliding along a surfaceof the crown 312 (or along another surface of the device 300) and causesthe device 300 to take an action in response to the rotation. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 3A, upon detection of the motion of the finger301, the device 300 may cause a graphical output 307 on a display 309 tomove in accordance with the movement of the finger 301. A movement ofthe finger 301 in the direction indicated by arrow 317 may result in thegraphical output 307 moving in the direction indicated by arrow 315. Amovement of the finger 301 in the opposite direction may result in thegraphical output 307 moving in the opposite direction. Sliding a fingeralong a surface of the crown 312 may change other operational propertiesof the device 300 in addition to or instead of scrolling a graphicaloutput 307. For example, sliding a finger along the surface of the crown312 may change parameters or settings of the device, control a zoomlevel of a graphical output, rotate a displayed graphical output,translate a displayed graphical output, change a brightness level of agraphical output, change a time setting, scroll a list of displayeditems (e.g., numbers, letters, words, images, icons, or other graphicaloutput), or the like.

FIG. 4A is a partial cross section of an electronic device 400,corresponding to a view along line A-A in FIG. 1B. The device 400 may bean embodiment of the device 100, and may include the same or similarcomponents and may provide the same or similar functions as the device100 (or any other wearable device described herein). Accordingly,details of the wearable device 100 described above may apply to thedevice 400, and for brevity will not be repeated here.

The device 400 includes a crown 412 positioned along a side of a housing402. The crown 412 may include an inner member 411 that is rotationallyconstrained relative to the housing 402, and an outer member 413 that isrotationally free relative to the inner member 411. As described above,the inner member 411 may be rotationally fixed relative to the housing402, or it may be partially rotatable. The inner member 411 and outermember 413 may be formed from or include any materials, including metals(e.g., aluminum, alloys, magnesium, stainless steel, etc.), polymers,composites, glass, sapphire, or the like. In some cases, the inner andouter members 411, 413 are the same material, and in other cases theyare different materials.

The inner member 411 may extend outwardly from the side of the housing402 and may define a circular peripheral surface 427 on an exteriorportion of the inner member. The outer member 413 may be coupled to theinner member 411 and may be configured to rotate along the circularperipheral surface 427. For example, the outer member 413 may rotateabout an axis that extends through a center of the circle thatcorresponds to or is defined by the circular peripheral surface 427.Further, the circular peripheral surface 427 may be received in acircular opening defined in the outer member 413. In some cases, aninner surface of the circular opening may contact the circularperipheral surface 427, such that the inner surface slides along thecircular peripheral surface 427 when the outer member 413 rotates alongthe circular peripheral surface 427. In other cases, the outer member413 does not directly contact the circular peripheral surface 427 whenthe outer member 413 rotates along the circular peripheral surface 427.In either case, the crown 412 may include one or more bearings,bushings, or other components that facilitate rotation of the outermember 413 along the circular peripheral surface 427.

As described above, the outer member 413 may be outside of an interiorvolume 425 of the device 400, such that the rotation of the outer member413 occurs outside of the interior volume 425 (such as exclusivelyoutside of the interior volume, such that no portion of the outer member413 extends into the interior volume or rotates within the interiorvolume). In some cases, such as where the inner member 411 isrotationally fixed relative to the housing 402, the outer member 413 maybe the only component of the crown 412 that can rotate. Placing therotating component(s) entirely outside of the interior volume mayeliminate the need to have a rotating interface between a crown shaftand the housing 402, which may allow for simpler rotational mechanisms,better environmental seals between the crown and the housing, and thelike.

The device 400 may include a rotation sensing element 421 that, inconjunction with sensing circuitry and/or other components of a rotationsensor, senses a rotation of the outer member 413 relative to the innermember 411. The rotation sensing element 421 may use any suitable typeof sensing technology or technique, including those described hereinwith respect to FIGS. 11A-11D. For example, the rotation sensing element421 may be or may be part of a Hall effect sensor, an optical sensor(e.g., an encoder), a capacitive sensor, a resistive sensor, aninductive sensor, or any other suitable type of sensor. In some cases,the outer member 413 may have features or components that facilitate therotation sensing by the rotation sensing element 421. For example, theouter member 413 may include magnets or ferromagnetic materials tofacilitate rotation sensing by a Hall effect sensor, or a pattern ofgrooves or other features to facilitate rotation sensing by an opticalsensor. Such features or components may be positioned along a sidesurface 423 of the outer member 413, or at any other position orlocation to facilitate sensing by the rotation sensing element 421.

The rotation sensing element 421 is configured to sense rotation of theouter member 413, which as noted above may be entirely outside of theinterior volume 425 of the device 400. As shown in FIG. 4A, the rotationsensing element 421 is configured to detect or sense a side surface 423of the outer member 413. The device may also include a protective cover429 over the rotation sensing element 421 and defining a portion of anexterior surface of the housing. The rotation sensing element 421 maysense the rotation of the outer member 413 through the protective cover429. For example, the protective cover 429 may be an opticallytransmissive window such that an optical rotation sensor can sense therotation of the outer member 413 through the optically transmissivewindow. Seals (e.g., elastomer members, adhesives, etc.) may be includedaround the rotation sensing element 421 and/or a protective cover toprevent or limit ingress of liquids, debris, or other contaminants.

The rotation sensing element 421 may be positioned at least partially inan opening 419 in the housing 402 that extends from the interior volume425 to an exterior of the housing. The rotation sensing element 421 maythus sense the rotation of the outer member 413 through the opening 419.The opening 419 may also allow conductors (e.g., wires, flexible circuitboards, traces, etc.) to pass from the rotation sensing element 421 tosensing circuitry or other components within the housing 402 of thedevice 400. The rotation sensing element 421 may be positioned in adevice in a location or configuration other than that shown in FIG. 4A.For example, a rotation sensing element 421 may be positioned in thedevice 400 so that it senses rotation of the outer member 413 through anoptically transmissive or non-conductive portion of the cover 408.

The crown 412 may include a component that extends into the housing 402through an opening 417. For example, the inner member 411 may include ashaft portion that extends through the opening 417. A sealing member420, such as an elastomeric member or other material or component(s),may form a seal between the shaft (or another portion of the innermember 411) and the housing 402 to prevent ingress of liquids, debris,or other contaminants. The sealing member 420 may seal the opening 417while also allowing the inner member 411 to move relative to the housing402. For example, while the inner member 411 may be rotationallyconstrained (e.g., rotationally fixed or partially rotatable), it maystill be able to translate axially. As such, the sealing member 420 mayseal the opening while allowing the inner member 411 to move axially. Inother cases, the inner member 411 may be fixed to the housing 402, suchas with adhesive, welds, fusion bonds, or the like. In such cases, thesealing member 420 may be omitted.

The axial translation of the inner member 411, where axial translationis permitted, may facilitate input and output functionalities. Forexample, the device 400 may include a force sensing component 424positioned at least partially within the housing 402 and coupled to theinner member 411 (or any other translatable portion of the crown 412).The force sensing component 424 may detect axial forces applied thecrown 412 (e.g., forces applied along a direction indicated by arrow105, FIG. 1A). The axial translation of the inner member 411 mayfacilitate the detection of the axial force by allowing the inner member411 to move to deform, deflect, collapse, or otherwise physically affecta force sensing component 424. The force sensing component 424 may bepositioned between a fixed support 422 and the inner member 411, suchthat an axial force applied to the crown 412 compresses the forcesensing component 424. Other configurations are also possible.

The force sensing component 424 may be or may include any suitablecomponent(s) for sensing an amount of applied force, including a straingauge, a piezoelectric component, a piezoresistive component, quantumtunneling materials, a force sensing resistor (FSR), or the like. Theforce sensing component 424 may be coupled to force sensing circuitry orother components to define a force sensor.

The force sensor (which includes the force sensing component) maydetermine a magnitude of force associated with an axial force that isapplied to the crown 412. If the magnitude of the force is greater thana threshold value, the force sensor may cause the device 400 to performan action. For example, the force sensor may cause the device toregister an input, change a graphical output on a display, change anoperational state of the device, or the like. In some cases, the forcesensor may cause a haptic actuator (e.g., a haptic actuator 415) toproduce a tactile output. The tactile output may act as physicalfeedback to the user that an input or selection has been registered bythe device 400.

The device 400 may also include a haptic actuator 415. The hapticactuator 415 may be coupled to the inner member 411, or any othercomponent of the crown 412, to produce tactile outputs detectablethrough the crown 412. The haptic actuator 415 may be or may include anysuitable components to produce a haptic output, including electrostaticactuators, piezoelectric actuators, oscillating or rotating masses,ultrasonic actuators, reluctance force actuators, voice coil motors,Lorentz force actuators, or the like. Moreover, the haptic actuator 415may be configured to move the crown 412 along any suitable direction oraxis to produce the tactile output, including axially, rotationally(e.g., plus and minus 2 degrees about a neutral position), pivotally,translationally, or the like.

FIG. 4B depicts another example embodiment of the wearable device 400 ofFIG. 4A. In FIG. 4B, however, the force sensing component is a domeswitch 431. The dome switch 431 may provide both an input detection anda tactile output function. For example, when an axial force exceeding acollapse threshold of the dome switch 431 is applied to the crown 412,the dome switch 431 may abruptly collapse, which both closes anelectrical contact (thereby allowing the device to register the input),and produces a tactile “click” or other tactile output that may be feltby the user. Accordingly, the dome switch 431 may be used instead of orin conjunction with a separate force sensor and/or haptic actuator.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross section of an electronic device 500,corresponding to a view along line A-A in FIG. 1B. The device 500 may bean embodiment of the device 100, and may include the same or similarcomponents and may provide the same or similar functions as the device100 (or any other wearable device described herein). Accordingly,details of the wearable device 100 described above may apply to thedevice 500, and for brevity will not be repeated here.

Like the devices shown in FIGS. 4A-4B, the device 500 includes a crown512 positioned along a side of a housing 502. The crown 512 may includean inner member 511 that is rotationally constrained relative to thehousing 502, and an outer member 513 that is rotationally free relativeto the inner member 511. As shown, the outer member 513 is a sleeve thatis positioned around a cylindrical surface of the inner member 811.

The device may include a housing 502, a cover 508, a sealing member 520,a force sensing component 524, a haptic actuator 515, and a fixedsupport 522, each of which may be the same as or similar to thecorresponding components of the device 400, described above.Accordingly, details of those components are equally applicable to thedevice 500 and for brevity will not be repeated here.

The device 500 may also include a rotation sensing element 514 that, inconjunction with sensing circuitry and/or other components of a rotationsensor, is configured to sense a rotation of the outer member 513relative to the inner member 511. In the device 500, the rotationsensing element 514 is positioned at least partially within the innermember 511. The rotation sensing element 514 may detect rotation as asurface 523 of the outer member 513 moves past the rotation sensingelement 514. As described above with respect to the outer member 413,the outer member 513 may have features or components that facilitate therotation sensing by the rotation sensing element 514. For example, theouter member 513 may include magnets or ferromagnetic materials tofacilitate rotation sensing by a Hall effect sensor, or a pattern ofgrooves or other features to facilitate rotation sensing by an opticalsensor. Such features or components may be positioned along the surface523 of the outer member 513, or at any other position or location tofacilitate sensing by the rotation sensing element 514.

The rotation sensing element 514 may be coupled to sensing circuitry orother components within the interior volume of the housing 502 via aconductor 521 (e.g., a wire, conductive trace, flexible circuit element,etc.). The conductor 521 may be positioned within the inner member 511(or along a surface of the inner member 511), and may terminate toanother conductor along a side of a shaft of the inner member 511. Inthis way, the rotation sensing element 514 may be coupled to othercomponents of the rotation sensor within the housing 502 withoutrequiring an additional opening in the housing 502.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross section of an electronic device 600,corresponding to a view along line A-A in FIG. 1B. The device 600 may bean embodiment of the device 100, and may include the same or similarcomponents and may provide the same or similar functions as the device100 (or any other wearable device described herein). Accordingly,details of the wearable device 100 described above may apply to thedevice 600, and for brevity will not be repeated here.

Like the devices shown in FIGS. 4A-5, the device 600 includes a crown612 positioned along a side of a housing 602. The device may include acover 608, a sealing member 620, a force sensing component 624, a hapticactuator 615, and a fixed support 622, each of which may be the same asor similar to the corresponding components of the devices 400, 500described above. Accordingly, details of those components are equallyapplicable to the device 600 and for brevity will not be repeated here.

FIGS. 4A-5 show crowns in which at least one component is rotationallyfree, and where the rotation of the rotationally free member is sensedin order to detect inputs applied to the crown. FIG. 6 includes a crown612 that includes a rotationally constrained member 611 (e.g., arotationally fixed or partially rotatable member) and a sensing element616 that is configured to detect the movement of a user's finger (orother object or implement), rather than the rotation of a crowncomponent. More particularly, as described above, when a user interactswith the rotationally constrained member 611 of the crown by attemptingto spin or rotate the crown (which may be an intuitive way to interactwith the crown 612), the user's fingers may simply slide along a surfaceof the rotationally constrained member 611, as the rotationallyconstrained member 611 cannot continuously rotate in response to theapplied force. Accordingly, although there is no continuous rotation tosense, the motion of the user's finger may be indicative of the inputthat the user is applying to the crown 612. For example, the speedand/or direction of the motion of the user's finger may be used tocontrol the operation of the device 600 in a manner similar to the speedand/or direction of a rotation of a crown.

In order to detect the movement of the user's finger as it slides alonga surface of the crown 612 (e.g., a surface of the rotationallyconstrained member 611), the device 600 may include a sensing element616. The sensing element may be coupled to the housing 602 and may bepositioned in a location where a finger is likely to be within a sensingdistance from the sensing element 616 when the user is interacting withthe crown 612. For example, due to the location of the crown 612, auser's finger (either an index finger as shown in FIGS. 2A-3B or athumb, such as when a user is applying a twisting gesture with a thumband index finger) may be proximate the sensing element 616 when the useris interacting with the crown 612. Accordingly, the sensing element 616may be able to sense the movement of the user's finger in all or mostuse conditions. In some cases, multiple sensing elements are positionedat different locations proximate the crown 612 to help detect fingermovement under different use conditions. Such multiple sensing elementsmay be positioned at various locations around the crown 612, such asabove, below, to the left, and to the right of the crown 612.

The sensing element 616 may use any suitable type of sensing technologyor technique, including those described herein with respect to FIGS.11A-11D. For example, the sensing element 616 may be or may be part ofan optical sensor, a capacitive sensor, a resistive sensor, an inductivesensor, or any other suitable type of sensor. In some cases, the sensingelement 616 may be part of or integrated with a touch sensor that isused to detect touch inputs applied to an input surface defined by thecover 608. More particularly, as noted above, a wearable device mayinclude a touch sensor associated with a display to produce atouch-screen style display. The touch sensor of the display may beconfigured so that some of the sensing elements (e.g., capacitive sensepixels) are sufficiently close to the crown 612 to detect a user'sfinger when the user's finger is sliding along a surface of the crown612. The sensing elements may be additional sensing elements that arededicated to detecting finger movements associated with crownmanipulations, or they may be sensing elements that are also used todetect touch inputs applied to a user input surface associated with thedisplay.

The sensing element 616 is configured to sense movement of a user'sfinger or other object that is entirely outside of the interior volume625 of the device 600. The device 600 may also include a protectivecover 621 over the sensing element 616 and defining a portion of anexterior surface of the housing. The sensing element 616 may sense themovement of the user's finger through the protective cover 621. Forexample, the protective cover 621 may be an optically transmissivewindow such that an optical sensor can sense the movement of the user'sfinger through the optically transmissive window. Seals (e.g., elastomermembers, adhesives, etc.) may be included around the sensing element 616and/or a protective cover to prevent or limit ingress of liquids,debris, or other contaminants.

The sensing element 616 may be positioned at least partially in anopening 619 in the housing 602 that extends from the interior volume 625to an exterior of the housing. The sensing element 616 may thus sensemovement of a user's finger (or other implement or object such as astylus) through the opening 619. The opening 619 may also allowconductors (e.g., wires, flexible circuit boards, traces, etc.) to passfrom the sensing element 616 to sensing circuitry or other componentswithin the housing 602 of the device 600.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross section of an electronic device 700,corresponding to a view along line A-A in FIG. 1B. The device 700 may bean embodiment of the device 100, and may include the same or similarcomponents and may provide the same or similar functions as the device100 (or any other wearable device described herein). Accordingly,details of the wearable device 100 described above may apply to thedevice 700, and for brevity will not be repeated here.

Like the device shown in FIGS. 4A-6, the device 700 includes a crown 712positioned along a side of a housing 702. The device may include a cover708, a sealing member 720, a force sensing component 724, a hapticactuator 715, and a fixed support 722, each of which may be the same asor similar to the corresponding components of the devices 400, 500, 600described above. Accordingly, details of those components are equallyapplicable to the device 700 and for brevity will not be repeated here.

FIG. 7 includes a crown 712 that includes a rotationally constrainedmember 711 (e.g., a rotationally fixed or partially rotatable member)and a sensing element 716 that is configured to detect the movement of auser's finger (or other object or implement) as it slides over a surfaceof the crown 712. Instead of positioning the sensing element 716 on thehousing, as shown in FIG. 6, the device 700 includes the sensing elementat least partially within the rotationally constrained member 711 of thecrown 712. The sensing element 716 may be configured to detect themotion of a user's finger in the same or a similar manner to the sensingelement 616 described with respect to FIG. 6.

The device 700 may also include a protective cover 723 over the sensingelement 716 and defining a portion of an exterior surface of the crown712 (with an outer peripheral surface of the rotationally constrainedmember 711 defining another portion of the exterior surface of the crown712). The sensing element 716 may sense the movement of the user'sfinger through the protective cover 723. For example, the protectivecover 723 may be an optically transmissive window such that an opticalsensor can sense the movement of the user's finger through the opticallytransmissive window. Seals (e.g., elastomer members, adhesives, etc.)may be included around the sensing element 716 and/or the protectivecover to prevent or limit ingress of liquids, debris, or othercontaminants.

The sensing element 716 and/or the protective cover 723 may extend anydistance around the circumference of the rotationally constrained member711. For example, the sensing element 716 and/or the protective cover723 may extend around the entire circumference of the rotationallyconstrained member 711, or it may extend less than the completecircumference.

The sensing element 716 may be coupled to sensing circuitry or othercomponents within the interior volume of the housing 702 via a conductor721 (e.g., a wire, conductive trace, flexible circuit element, etc.).The conductor 721 may be positioned within the rotationally constrainedmember 711 (or along a surface of the member 711), and may terminate toanother conductor along a side of a shaft of the member 711. In thisway, the sensing element 716 may be coupled to other components of thesensor within the housing 702 without requiring an additional opening inthe housing 702.

FIG. 8 is a partial cross section of an electronic device 800,corresponding to a view along line A-A in FIG. 1B. The device 800 may bean embodiment of the device 100, and may include the same or similarcomponents and may provide the same or similar functions as the device100 (or any other wearable device described herein). Accordingly,details of the wearable device 100 described above may apply to thedevice 800, and for brevity will not be repeated here.

Like the device shown in FIGS. 4A-7, the device 800 includes a crown 812positioned along a side of a housing 802. The device may include a cover808, a sealing member 820, a force sensing component 824, a hapticactuator 815, and a fixed support 822, each of which may be the same asor similar to the corresponding components of the devices 400, 500, 600,700 described above. Accordingly, details of those components areequally applicable to the device 800 and for brevity will not berepeated here.

The crown 812 may include an inner member 811 that is rotationallyconstrained relative to the housing 802, and an outer member 813 that isrotationally free relative to the inner member 811. As shown, the outermember 813 is a sleeve that is positioned around a cylindrical surfaceof the inner member 811.

Instead of (or in addition to) detecting the rotation of therotationally free outer member 813 to control the operation of thedevice 800, the device 800 uses a sensing element 816 (which may becovered by a protective cover 821) that senses motion of a user's fingeras the finger is rotating the outer member 813. In this case, therotation of the outer member 813 may provide a familiar sensation ofphysical rotation to the user, but the rotation may not be used foractual detection or sensing of the input.

The inner member 811 and the outer member 813 of the device 800 may bethe same as or similar to the inner and outer members of the devices 400and 500, and the sensing element 816 and protective cover 821 may be thesame as or similar to the sensing element 616 and protective cover 621of the device 600. In some cases, the sensing element 816 may be part ofor integrated with a touch sensor associated with a touch-sensitivedisplay, as described above. Accordingly, details of those componentsare equally applicable to the device 800 and for brevity will not berepeated here.

FIG. 9 is a partial cross section of an electronic device 900,corresponding to a view along line A-A in FIG. 1B. The device 900 may bean embodiment of the device 100, and may include the same or similarcomponents and may provide the same or similar functions as the device100 (or any other wearable device described herein). Accordingly,details of the wearable device 100 described above may apply to thedevice 900, and for brevity will not be repeated here.

Like the device shown in FIGS. 4A-8, the device 900 includes a crown 912positioned along a side of a housing 902. The device may include a cover908, a force sensing component 924, a haptic actuator 915, and a fixedsupport 922, each of which may be the same as or similar to thecorresponding components of the devices 400, 500, 600, 700, 800described above. Accordingly, details of those components are equallyapplicable to the device 900 and for brevity will not be repeated here.

The crown 912 may include an inner member 911 that is rotationallyconstrained relative to the housing 902, and an outer member 913 that isrotationally free relative to the inner member 811. The outer member 913may include a first portion 923 that is outside (e.g., external to) thehousing 902 and defines an input surface of the crown 912. For example,the first portion 923 may define a substantially circular peripheralsurface that a user may grasp or touch to rotate when providing an inputto the device 900 via the crown 912. The outer member 913 may alsoinclude a shaft portion 927 that extends into the interior volume 925 ofthe device 900. The device 900 may include bearings, bushings, or othercomponents that facilitate the rotation of the outer member 913. Forexample, the device 900 may include a bearing or bushing or otherrolling or sliding component between the housing 902 and the outermember 913, and between the outer member 913 and the inner member 911.

Because the shaft portion 927 rotates in conjunction with the firstportion 923, a rotation sensing element 914 within the housing 902 may,in conjunction with rotation sensing circuitry, sense the rotation ofthe outer member 913 by sensing the rotation of the shaft portion 927.The rotation sensing element 914 may use any suitable type of sensingtechnology or technique, including those described herein with respectto FIGS. 11A-11D. For example, the rotation sensing element 914 may beor may be part of an optical sensor, a capacitive sensor, a resistivesensor, an inductive sensor, or any other suitable type of sensor.

The device 900 may also include a first sealing member 920 between thehousing 902 and the outer member 913, and a second sealing member 921between the outer member 913 and the inner member 911. The sealingmembers 920, 921, which may be elastomeric members or other suitablematerial or component(s), may prevent or reduce the ingress of liquids,debris, or other contaminants. The sealing members 920, 921 may seal theopenings between the housing 902, outer member 913, and inner member 911while also allowing the outer member 913 to rotate relative to the innermember 911, and while allowing both the inner and outer members 911, 913to translate relative to the housing 902. For example, while the innermember 911 may be rotationally constrained (e.g., rotationally fixed orpartially rotatable), it may still be able to translate axially. Theouter member 913 may also be able to translate axially along with theinner member 911, and may in fact be coupled to the inner member 911such that an axial force applied to either the inner member or the outermember may cause both the inner member 911 and the outer member 913 totranslate axially. As such, the sealing members 920, 921 may seal theopenings between the various components while allowing the outer member913 to translate axially and to rotate, and while allowing the innermember 911 to translate axially.

FIG. 10 is a partial cross section of an electronic device 1000,corresponding to a view along line A-A in FIG. 1B. The device 1000 maybe an embodiment of the device 100, and may include the same or similarcomponents and may provide the same or similar functions as the device100 (or any other wearable device described herein). Accordingly,details of the wearable device 100 described above may apply to thedevice 1000, and for brevity will not be repeated here.

Like the device shown in FIGS. 4A-9, the device 1000 includes a crown1012 positioned along a side of a housing 1002. The device may include acover 1008, a force sensing component 1024, a haptic actuator 1015, anda fixed support 1022, each of which may be the same as or similar to thecorresponding components of the devices 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900described above. Accordingly, details of those components are equallyapplicable to the device 1000 and for brevity will not be repeated here.

The crown 1012 may include a rotatable member 1023 that is configured torotate relative to the housing 1002. Bearings, bushings, or othercomponents may be used between the rotatable member 1023 and the housing1002 to facilitate the rotation of the rotatable member 1023 in responseto a rotating force applied by a user. Further, the device 1000 mayinclude a sealing member 1020 between the rotatable member 1023 and thehousing 1002. The sealing member 1020, which may be elastomeric membersor any other suitable material or component(s), may prevent or reducethe ingress of liquids, debris, or other contaminants into the device1000. The sealing member 1020 may seal the opening between the housing1002, rotatable member 1023, while also allowing the rotatable member1023 to rotate and optionally translate axially relative to the housing1002.

The device 1000 may also include a rotation sensing element 1014 that,along with rotation sensing circuitry and/or other components, sensesrotation of the rotatable member 1023. For example, the rotation sensingelement 1014 may sense the rotation of an inner wall 1027 of therotatable member 1023 (or any other portion of the rotatable member1023. The rotation sensing element 1014 may use any suitable type ofsensing technology or technique, including those described herein withrespect to FIGS. 11A-11D. For example, the rotation sensing element 1014may be or may be part of an optical sensor, a capacitive sensor, aresistive sensor, an inductive sensor, or any other suitable type ofsensor.

As noted above, the sensors and/or sensing elements that sense eitherrotation of a crown component and/or motion of a user's finger (or otherobject or implement) may use any suitable sensing technology ortechnique. FIGS. 11A-11D illustrate example sensors that use varioustechniques to sense motion of an object (e.g., either rotation of acrown component or movement of a user's finger). These example sensorsmay be used in any of the devices described herein.

FIG. 11A shows an optical sensing element 1100 to sense movement of anobject 1109. The object 1109 may be a user's finger, a stylus, arotatable component of a crown, or the like. The object 1109 may bemoving relative to the sensing element 1100 along a direction indicatedby arrow 1107, which may correspond to a movement of a user's finger(e.g., a translational movement), or a rotation of a rotating componentof a crown.

The optical sensing element 1100 includes a light emitter 1102 and alight detector 1104. The light emitter may emit light 1106 (e.g.,visible light, laser light, ultraviolet light, non-visible light, or thelike) towards the object 1109. The light detector 1104 receives light1108 that is reflected by the object 1109 and may sense a speed and/ordirection of motion of the object 1109 using detected properties of thereceived light (e.g., an intensity of the receive light, an angle of thereceived light, an amount of received light, a change in a property ofthe light, etc.) or images of the object 1109 that are captured by thelight detector 1104. The light detector 1104 may include an image sensoror any other suitable light sensing components.

The object 1109 may have features that facilitate the sensing of themotion of the object 1109. For example, in cases where the object 1109is a rotatable member of a crown, the features may include grooves,scratches, graphical patterns, bumps, cavities, or the like. Suchfeatures may affect the way that the object 1109 reflects light, whichmay facilitate detection of the movement of the object 1109 by the lightdetector 1104. In cases where the object 1109 is a finger, the featuresmay be the natural textures of skin.

FIG. 11B shows another example optical sensor that includes a lightdetector 1110 (which may include an image sensor or other light sensingcomponents) that detects reflected ambient light. For example, ambientlight 1116 may be reflected by the object 1119 as the object 1119 movesalong a direction indicated by arrow 1117, and the light detector 1110may detect a property of the reflected light 1118 and/or capture imagesof the object 1119 (illuminated by the ambient light 1116) to sense aspeed and/or direction of motion of the object 1119. The sensed speedand/or direction of motion of the object 1119 may then be used tocontrol an operation of the device.

FIG. 11C shows a Hall effect sensor 1120 that may be used to sensechanges in a magnetic field produced by motion of an object 1129 (e.g.,along a direction 1127). The object 1129 may include magnetic and/orferromagnetic components 1128 that move relative to the Hall effectsensor 1120 to facilitate the sensing of the motion of the object 1129.

FIG. 11D shows a capacitive sensing element 1130. The capacitive sensingelement 1130 may use multiple capacitive sense pixels 1132, 1134 todetect motion of an object 1139. For example, as the object 1139 (e.g.,a user's finger) approaches the first capacitive sense pixel 1132, theobject 1139 causes a change in capacitance that is detected by the firstcapacitive sense pixel 1132. As the object 1139 continues to move alongthe direction 1137, it approaches the second capacitive sense pixel 1134and causes a change in capacitance that is detected by the secondcapacitive sense pixel 1134. The change in capacitance detected by thefirst and second capacitive sense pixels (and optionally additionalcapacitive sense pixels) as the object 1139 moves may together be usedto determine a speed and/or direction of motion of the object 1139,which may in turn be used to control an operation of a device. Wherecapacitive sense pixels are used to sense motion of an object, they maybe part of a sensor that is solely used to sense motion of a finger asit interacts with a crown. In other cases, the capacitive sense pixelsmay be part of a touch sensor that is also used to detect touch inputson a touch-screen display, as described above.

FIG. 12 depicts an example schematic diagram of an electronic device1200. By way of example, the device 1200 of FIG. 12 may correspond tothe wearable electronic device 100 shown in FIGS. 1A-1B (or any otherwearable electronic device described herein). To the extent thatmultiple functionalities, operations, and structures are disclosed asbeing part of, incorporated into, or performed by the device 1200, itshould be understood that various embodiments may omit any or all suchdescribed functionalities, operations, and structures. Thus, differentembodiments of the device 1200 may have some, none, or all of thevarious capabilities, apparatuses, physical features, modes, andoperating parameters discussed herein.

As shown in FIG. 12, a device 1200 includes a processing unit 1202operatively connected to computer memory 1204 and/or computer-readablemedia 1206. The processing unit 1202 may be operatively connected to thememory 1204 and computer-readable media 1206 components via anelectronic bus or bridge. The processing unit 1202 may include one ormore computer processors or microcontrollers that are configured toperform operations in response to computer-readable instructions. Theprocessing unit 1202 may include the central processing unit (CPU) ofthe device. Additionally or alternatively, the processing unit 1202 mayinclude other processors within the device including applicationspecific integrated chips (ASIC) and other microcontroller devices.

The memory 1204 may include a variety of types of non-transitorycomputer-readable storage media, including, for example, read accessmemory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable memory(e.g., EPROM and EEPROM), or flash memory. The memory 1204 is configuredto store computer-readable instructions, sensor values, and otherpersistent software elements. Computer-readable media 1206 also includesa variety of types of non-transitory computer-readable storage mediaincluding, for example, a hard-drive storage device, a solid-statestorage device, a portable magnetic storage device, or other similardevice. The computer-readable media 1206 may also be configured to storecomputer-readable instructions, sensor values, and other persistentsoftware elements.

In this example, the processing unit 1202 is operable to readcomputer-readable instructions stored on the memory 1204 and/orcomputer-readable media 1206. The computer-readable instructions mayadapt the processing unit 1202 to perform the operations or functionsdescribed above with respect to FIGS. 1A-11D. In particular, theprocessing unit 1202, the memory 1204, and/or the computer-readablemedia 1206 may be configured to cooperate with a sensor 1124 (e.g., arotation sensor that senses rotation of a crown component or a sensorthat senses motion of a user's finger) to control the operation of adevice in response to an input applied to a crown of a device (e.g., thecrown 112). The computer-readable instructions may be provided as acomputer-program product, software application, or the like.

As shown in FIG. 12, the device 1200 also includes a display 1208. Thedisplay 1208 may include a liquid-crystal display (LCD), organic lightemitting diode (OLED) display, LED display, or the like. If the display1208 is an LCD, the display 1208 may also include a backlight componentthat can be controlled to provide variable levels of display brightness.If the display 1208 is an OLED or LED type display, the brightness ofthe display 1208 may be controlled by modifying the electrical signalsthat are provided to display elements. The display 1208 may correspondto any of the displays shown or described herein.

The device 1200 may also include a battery 1209 that is configured toprovide electrical power to the components of the device 1200. Thebattery 1209 may include one or more power storage cells that are linkedtogether to provide an internal supply of electrical power. The battery1209 may be operatively coupled to power management circuitry that isconfigured to provide appropriate voltage and power levels forindividual components or groups of components within the device 1200.The battery 1209, via power management circuitry, may be configured toreceive power from an external source, such as an AC power outlet. Thebattery 1209 may store received power so that the device 1200 mayoperate without connection to an external power source for an extendedperiod of time, which may range from several hours to several days.

In some embodiments, the device 1200 includes one or more input devices1210. An input device 1210 is a device that is configured to receiveuser input. The one or more input devices 1210 may include, for example,a push button, a touch-activated button, a keyboard, a key pad, or thelike (including any combination of these or other components). In someembodiments, the input device 1210 may provide a dedicated or primaryfunction, including, for example, a power button, volume buttons, homebuttons, scroll wheels, and camera buttons. Generally, a touch sensor ora force sensor may also be classified as an input device. However, forpurposes of this illustrative example, the touch sensor 1220 and a forcesensor 1222 are depicted as distinct components within the device 1200.

The device 1200 may also include a sensor 1124 that detects inputsprovided by a user to a crown of the device (e.g., the crown 112). Asdescribed above, the sensor 1124 may include sensing circuitry and othersensing elements that facilitate sensing of rotational motion of a crowncomponent and/or motion of a user's finger that is sliding along asurface of a crown. The sensor 1124 may correspond to the sensorsdescribed with respect to FIGS. 11A-11D, or other sensors that may beused to provide the sensing functions described herein.

The device 1200 may also include a touch sensor 1220 that is configuredto determine a location of a touch on a touch-sensitive surface of thedevice 1200 (e.g., an input surface defined by the portion of a cover108 over a display 109). The touch sensor 1220 may use or includecapacitive sensors, resistive sensors, surface acoustic wave sensors,piezoelectric sensors, strain gauges, or the like. In some cases thetouch sensor 1220 associated with a touch-sensitive surface of thedevice 1200 may include a capacitive array of electrodes or nodes thatoperate in accordance with a mutual-capacitance or self-capacitancescheme. The touch sensor 1220 may be integrated with one or more layersof a display stack (e.g., the display 109) to provide the touch-sensingfunctionality of a touchscreen. Moreover, the touch sensor 1220, or aportion thereof, may be used to sense motion of a user's finger as itslides along a surface of a crown, as described herein.

The device 1200 may also include a force sensor 1222 that is configuredto receive and/or detect force inputs applied to a user input surface ofthe device 1200 (e.g., the display 109). The force sensor 1222 may useor include capacitive sensors, resistive sensors, surface acoustic wavesensors, piezoelectric sensors, strain gauges, or the like. In somecases, the force sensor 1222 may include or be coupled to capacitivesensing elements that facilitate the detection of changes in relativepositions of the components of the force sensor (e.g., deflectionscaused by a force input). The force sensor 1222 may be integrated withone or more layers of a display stack (e.g., the display 109) to provideforce-sensing functionality of a touchscreen.

The device 1200 may also include a communication port 1228 that isconfigured to transmit and/or receive signals or electricalcommunication from an external or separate device. The communicationport 1228 may be configured to couple to an external device via a cable,adaptor, or other type of electrical connector. In some embodiments, thecommunication port 1228 may be used to couple the device 1200 to anaccessory, including a dock or case, a stylus or other input device,smart cover, smart stand, keyboard, or other device configured to sendand/or receive electrical signals.

The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specificnomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the describedembodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art thatthe specific details are not required in order to practice the describedembodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the specificembodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustrationand description. They are not targeted to be exhaustive or to limit theembodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to oneof ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations arepossible in view of the above teachings. Also, when used herein to referto positions of components, the terms above and below, or theirsynonyms, do not necessarily refer to an absolute position relative toan external reference, but instead refer to the relative position ofcomponents with reference to the figures.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic watch, comprising: a housing; adisplay positioned at least partially within the housing; a covercovering at least part of the display; a crown having a portionpositioned along a side of the housing and comprising: a shaft that isrotationally constrained relative to the housing; and an outer memberthat is rotationally free relative to the shaft; and a rotation sensorconfigured to sense a rotation of the outer member relative to theshaft.
 2. The electronic watch of claim 1, wherein: the housing definesan interior volume; the shaft defines an exterior portion; the exteriorportion of the shaft defines a circular peripheral surface; the outermember is coupled to the exterior portion of the shaft and is configuredto rotate along the circular peripheral surface; and the outer member ispositioned outside the interior volume such that the rotation of theouter member occurs outside the interior volume.
 3. The electronic watchof claim 1, wherein the rotation sensor is at least partially within theshaft of the crown.
 4. The electronic watch of claim 1, wherein: thehousing defines: an interior volume; and an opening extending from theinterior volume to an exterior of the housing; and the rotation sensoris configured to sense the rotation of the outer member through theopening.
 5. The electronic watch of claim 4, wherein: the rotationsensor is an optical sensor; the electronic watch further comprises anoptically transmissive window covering at least part of the opening; andthe rotation sensor senses the rotation of the outer member through theoptically transmissive window.
 6. The electronic watch of claim 1,further comprising a force sensing component positioned at leastpartially within the housing and configured to detect an axial forceapplied to the crown.
 7. The electronic watch of claim 6, wherein theforce sensing component comprises a dome switch.
 8. The electronic watchof claim 1, wherein: the rotation sensor comprises: a light emitterconfigured to emit light toward the outer member of the crown; and alight detector; and the light detector is configured to detect the lightafter the light is reflected by the outer member of the crown.
 9. Awearable electronic device, comprising: a housing; a display positionedat least partially within the housing; a cover covering at least part ofthe display and defining a front face of the wearable electronic device;a crown positioned along a side of the housing and comprising a shaftportion rotationally constrained relative to the housing; and a sensorconfigured to sense a movement of a finger as the finger is slidingalong a surface of the crown.
 10. The wearable electronic device ofclaim 9, wherein at least the shaft portion of the crown is rotationallyfixed.
 11. The wearable electronic device of claim 9, wherein a sensingelement of the sensor is positioned at least partially within the crown.12. The wearable electronic device of claim 11, wherein: the crowndefines a first portion of a surface; and the crown includes aprotective cover covering the sensing element and defining a secondportion of the surface.
 13. The wearable electronic device of claim 12,wherein: the sensing element is an optical sensing element; and theprotective cover is an optically transmissive window.
 14. The wearableelectronic device of claim 9, wherein: the display defines an outputregion; the cover defines an input surface that covers the outputregion; and the sensor is a touch sensor that extends along the outputregion and is configured to: detect touch inputs applied to the inputsurface; and sense the movement of the finger sliding along the surfaceof the crown.
 15. A wearable electronic device, comprising: a housing; adisplay positioned at least partially within the housing; a covercovering at least part of the display and defining a front face of thewearable electronic device; a crown positioned along a side of thehousing and comprising: a shaft that is rotationally constrainedrelative to the housing; and an outer member that is rotationally freerelative to the shaft; and a sensor configured to sense movement of afinger while the finger is rotating the outer member.
 16. The wearableelectronic device of claim 15, wherein: the shaft defines a cylindricalsurface; and the outer member is a sleeve positioned around thecylindrical surface.
 17. The wearable electronic device of claim 15,wherein the sensor is positioned along a side of the housing.
 18. Thewearable electronic device of claim 15, further comprising an actuatorcoupled to the crown and configured to produce a tactile output throughthe crown.
 19. The wearable electronic device of claim 18, furthercomprising a force sensor configured to detect an axial force applied tothe crown.
 20. The wearable electronic device of claim 19, wherein: theforce sensor determines a magnitude of the axial force; and the wearableelectronic device causes the actuator to produce the tactile output ifthe magnitude of the axial force is greater than a threshold value.